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partners in therapy are crucial for baseline lymphedema measurements, preoperative optimization, postoperative therapy and limb volume surveillance.” In breast reconstruction, many patients utilize their own tissue from other parts of the body, rather than having implants. Sacks, an expert in cancer reconstruction microsurgery, has seen a significant increase in the clinical volume of breast reconstruction surgery in the past year. Partnerships with surgical oncologists and other providers across the medical school, hospital system and Siteman Cancer Center enable Washington University plastic and reconstructive surgeons to provide the desired types of surgery and outcomes for women who choose breast reconstruction after cancer surgery. The division extends its microsurgical expertise to its training programs through a new microsurgery fellowship program in partnership with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. The Washington University Plastic and Orthopedic Reconstructive Microsurgery Fellowship Program provides broad microsurgical training, with an emphasis on limb reconstruction, lymphedema surgery and cancer reconstruction. “Washington University plastic and reconstructive surgeons have trained at the premier medical schools and cancer centers in the country, bringing clinical expertise to our patients, depth to our training programs and rigor to our research programs,” says Sacks. “The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has historically played a critical role in developing the specialty. We are continuing this tradition of excellence at Washington University today and into the future.” Leading in Microsurgery From left: Rachel Anolik, MD, Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, Joani Christensen, MD. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Plastic and reconstructive surgeons are experts in craniofacial, aesthetic, breast and general reconstructive, gender affirming, hand, limb preservation, lymphedema, nerve and pediatric plastic surgeries. The division is an international center for nerve injury and pioneer of peripheral nerve transfers. Faculty are leaders in basic, translational and clinical research, including clinical outcomes research and bench-to-bedside discoveries in nerve research and tissue engineering. Building on a legacy of training leaders and innovators, the division’s residency and fellowship programs offer comprehensive training, outstanding mentorship and exposure to advanced surgical technology. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 4,304 operating room cases 37,765 visits 5,851 office procedures $791,777 research funding 20 faculty 141 clinical research studies Division of Right: Justin Sacks, MD, MBA. Access the 2021 Annual Report Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Department of Surgery | Annual Report 2021 Research in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery aims to improve patient care in each of the division’s 10 areas of clinical focus through the most advanced basic science, translational and clinical studies. Three fulltime independent investigators lead the research programs in the division, collaborating with clinical faculty to solve problems in truly bench-tobedside fashion. Director of Clinical and Translational Research Amanda Westman, PhD, focuses on translating novel technologies to the clinical setting using in vivo studies and computational models. Westman and Division Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Justin Sacks, MD, MBA, are leading research on a single-use disposable device capable of performing continuous bedside pressure monitoring. Sacks and Westman received a 2021-22 Big Ideas Competition grant from BJC HealthCare and the School of Medicine to translate the device, which prevents pressure ulcer development and progression, to clinical use. “It is an exciting time to be part of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,” says Sacks, who is the Shoenberg Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. “We are growing our research programs to complement all of the division’s clinical programs. This institution is a powerhouse of plastic surgery research.” Scientific Director of the Plastic Surgery Research Laboratories (PSRL) Matthew Wood, PhD, leads a consortium of investigators with the common objective of studying the pathology, mechanisms and prospective clinical treatments for the problems facing plastic and reconstructive surgeons today. The PSRL contains over 2,000 square feet of lab space and has the research infrastructure to perform the highest level of basic science investigation in tissue engineering, immunology and nerve physiology. PSRL researchers have been continuously NIH-funded since 1993, and have published more than 1,000 peer-reviewed articles and several dozen books and chapters. Wood and senior scientist Dan Hunter, who are investigating the role of T cells in nerve injury and regeneration, are among the nation’s leaders in neuroma research. The team published a book chapter, titled “Neuroma Pathology: The Role of Histologic Analysis,” in 2020. “As part of our effort to think about problems in plastic surgery in ways that others have not, we are recruiting and building a team for diverse ideas,” says Wood. “We have new team members that will help us growth research programs to complement our core clinical programs.” Among the new
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